PROJECTS
Since 2012, CoE finances joint projects among the EUR-OPA Specialized Centres in order to enhance synergisms and knowledge exchange, based on the respective thematic priorities.
Project 2012-2013
“Development of Guidelines for the Defense of Rural Populations, Settlements and other Assets Against Wildfires and Smoke Pollution”
A booklet has been prepared in cooperation with the Global Fire Monitoring Center, Germany (GFMC) entitled:
“Defence of Villages, Farms and Other Rural Assets against Wilfires: Guidelines for Rural Populations, Local Communities and Municipality Leaders in the Balkan Region”
Project 2016-2017
“Basic Principles of Building Aseismic Code, Evacuation planning of critical infrastructures in case of an Earthquake or a Fire”.
This project run in cooperation with the European Centre on Prevention and Forecasting of Earthquakes, Greece (ECPFE).
Objectives of the project were:
• Raising awareness; citizens need to play an active role in case of an emergency, including also vulnerable groups of the population
• Focus on the evacuation of critical infrastructures in case of an earthquake or a fire, with a special interest in vulnerable groups of the population.
“Evacuation Planning of Critical Infrastructures in case of an Earthquake or a fire for People with Disabilities” (ISBN: 978-618-83079-0-2) Prepared by: S. Karma, O.Kakaliagou, I. Boukis, E. Pelli, M.Chalaris, M.Statheropoulos
Project 2018-2019
“Fine and Ultrafine particles from forest fires: Recommendations/Guidelines for protection of vulnerable groups of population”
It is a catalogue of useful practices and recommendations/ guidelines for the protection of population against exposure to fine and ultrafine particles, with special attention to vulnerable groups of population, such as the elderly, pregnant women, children, people with disabilities or hidden disabilities like asthma, or cardiopulmonary diseases.
Updated version of recommendations/guidelines has been achieved by networking with medical, health or other relevant organizations in Europe, or other experts, including GFMC.
Project 2022-2023 (1)
“Inclusion of Vulnerable groups in Disaster Preparedness and Response for coping with emerging risks: Evacuation exercise including people with disabilities”
Coordinating Center: ECFF, Partner: ECPFE
Indicative expected impact of the project is to:
• Foster networking among academics, scientists, operational people, experts and people with disabilities
• Exchange knowledge and hands on experience in rescuing people with impairments.
• Empower community engagement is the disaster management cycle for strengthening disaster resilience
• Create a network of people and organizations that share the same interest on emergency response for people with disabilities
• Prepare targeted response plans and implement inclusive evacuation exercises
• Promote inclusive active citizens’ role in emergency preparedness and response - People-centred approach and local participation for effective disaster risk management.
The main activities were the organisation of a workshop dedicated to inclusion in emergencies, and the execution of an evacuation exercise with the participation of persons with disabilities.
In specific, the workshop was entitled “Leave No One Behind: Inclusivity in Disaster Preparedness and Response” which took place on the 8th of November 2022, in Athens, Greece, at the premises of the Hellenic Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection.
The “Evacuation exercise with Participation of Persons with Disabilities” was conducted on the 26th of October 2023, in Athens, Greece, at the premises of the National Confederation of Persons with Disabilities (ESAmeA).
Project 2022-2023 (2)
POPIRiM. Population involvement on risk management and mitigation - Testing in small communities
Coordinating Center: CERU, Partner: ECFF
The project aimed to test the public participation in governance and DRR in different communities exhibiting susceptibilities to one or more risks, in different countries. ECFF participated in this project as a partner by preparing inclusive videos for raising public awareness. The videos are available at the Ministry of Climate Change and Civil Protection website multimedia section
Project 2024-2025
Resilience4ALL: Public Awareness raising upon Disaster Risks via Accessible Digital tools and drafting of Good Practices for Training of the first responders focusing on persons with disabilities
Coordinating Center: ECFF, Partner: ECPFE
The project aims at:
• Raising awareness upon emerging risks for all the groups of population, especially for those who dwell nearby disaster-prone areas, using digital tools, e.g. accessible videos, digital campaign.
• Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response, reduce vulnerabilities and “Build Back Better.”
• Training of the first responders on how to manage persons with disabilities during the search and rescue operations.
• Exchange knowledge and hands-on experience in rescuing people with impairments with the support of organisations that represent persons with disabilities.
• Empower inclusive community engagement is the disaster management cycle for strengthening disaster resilience for all.
• Prepare targeted response plans and implement inclusive evacuation exercises.
• Foster the interaction among the involved parties in emergency situations.